Mohammed Akbar, Ph.D.
Staff Scientist
301.435.2282
akbarm@mail.nih.gov

Current projects: Assessing the protective effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in neuronal survival, and modulation by ethanol.  Elucidating the underlying signaling mechanisms using biochemical, molecular biological and microscopic approaches. Examining the role of DHA in transcriptional activation of nuclear receptors and other transcription factors in neuronal cells.

Current projects: Applying the state-of-the-art techniques of mass spectrometry in conjunction with chemical cross-linking and/or various biochemical methods (1) to probe the conformational changes of signaling proteins during activation processes, (2) to elucidate the interactions between signaling proteins and plasma membrane, particularly the role of phosphatidylserine (PS) on Akt activation, and (3) to characterize the post-translational modifications of relevant proteins including PSS under docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)- or alcohol-treated conditions.

Zheng-Mei Xiong, Ph.D.
Visiting Fellow
301.435.2282
xiongz@mail.nih.gov

Current projects: Investigating the role docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in neuronal differentiation and synaptogenesis using mouse hippocampal primary cultures. Elucidating the underlying molecular mechanisms by which DHA modulate neuronal function by using microscopic, immunochemical and biochemical techniques.

Atsuko Kimura, Ph.D. 
Visiting Fellow
301.435.2282
kimuraa2@mail.nih.gov

Current projects: Investigating substrate specificity of phosphatidylserine synthase (PSS) and elucidating the functional significance of it in the neuronal system.   Examining the role of PSS in DHA-dependent and/or ethanol-dependent PS modulation in neuronal cells.  Methodological approaches involve biochemical techniques and instrumental analysis by HPLC/ESI-MS.

Karl Kevala
Chemist
301.435.2282
kevalakr@mail.nih.gov

Current projects: Investigating neuronal membrane remodeling using biochemical, radiometric, chromatographic and mass spectrometric and organic chemistry approaches. Developing sensitive and reliable mass spectrometric assays for minor signaling components in neuronal membranes and subcellular compartments.

Current projects: Investigating the involvement of racemic (R/S) salsolinol, the product of non-enzymatic condensation of dopamine and acetaldehyde, in alcoholism. Developing sensitive analytical methods for the enantiomeric determination of salsolinol in human plasma using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Studying biosynthesis and metabolism of salsolinol in animal models using mass spectrometry and stable isotopes. Characterizing polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites altered by ethanol in the neuronal system.